Not that long ago I was writing about how Rafa baffled me- and in no way is this intended as a retraction of that sentiment. In fact, I think the last few weeks have proven this. But what on earth has happened at Liverpool since that hammering of Real Madrid at Anfield (I ask with my best rhetorical voice)?

Since that game, Liverpool have scored 13 goals, and conceded just 1. Andrea Dossena also scored a goal which made me feel every bit as good as when Philippe Albert strode forward and lobbed Peter Schmeichel from 30 yards at St James’s.

The obvious answer to this conundrum would be that Gerrard and Torres are starting regularly alongside one another (having done so just 9 times before the Madrid game). And if you have what I would call currently the two best (central) forward players in world football starting, Liverpool will hurt anybody. Simple- it’s been a fundamental part of what Rafa has build his system on.

The other positive aspect of this all is that the back four seem settled, and the midfield trio of Lucas, Macsherano, and Alonso (particularly the latter two) look solid when called upon. Now I come to think of it, there’s every reason for Alonso to be up for football writer’s player of the year- particularly after the summer. But added to this, other more weak parts of Rafa’s side (namely the wide men) have scored of late, which makes the garden all the more rosier.

I think we can all agree that the title is still well and truly in United’s grasp- it’s theirs to lose, and the international break has fallen at an ideal time. However, Liverpool have broken the perceived invincibility that United had at home. And that’s crucial. Whatsmore, Fulham have also shown others that beating United isn’t totally out of the question.

There’s no doubt about it, United’s side have frailties- not that Vidic, Evra, Ferdinand, O’Shea are bad players, but sides can get at them, pin them back, and not let them stroll to wins. This, for me, is the crucial point coming from the last month or so. The big issue is that others, such as Liverpool and Chelsea, capitalise on this moving forward- particularly over the summer and next year.

Longer term, though, we all know that if Stevie or Nando pick up knocks this week, there’s going to be some serious fallibility to the “title’s back on” argument (which it still certainly is).

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Great article from Matt Ladson at thisisanfield. And he’s right- there isn’t really anything that makes the position of the club and the fans any clearer. One thing’s for sure, and that’s that things couldn’t really stay as they were for much longer. Bill Hicks seems to have been pulling out all the stops in his charm offensive since calling for Parry to leave last year. In all seriousness, fans will generally be happy with this.

I saw what Phil McNulty over at BBC has said as well, and this is another excellent post from him. And yes, Benitez’s position has been strengthened. The way Liverpool have been left so ridiculously short in the run in to the title race is absolutely sickening, and it’s because of the childish politics between manager, CEO, and board that has let this happen.

There’s no doubt that Parry’s been relatively successful at Liverpool. Broadly thinking, during his time at Liverpool we have undeniably (albeit slowly) improved. The appointments of Houllier and Benitez, whichever way you see it, have been relatively progressive.

In recent seasons, his position with the board, as well as Rafa, and his apparent bunglings of some major transfer dealings has made him, in my opinion, an easy target. But truth is, I don’t think any self-respecting fan can say that it’s a good thing that the man has gone, beyond simply ending the ridiculousness of the current situation- at least it will force some kind of change in what’s going on at the club.

As soon as I heard the news, I saw Benitez’s farcical press conference this morning, repearedly answering questions to do with his relationships, and all of the other stuff by saying “I deal with football matters”. Well, does this actually make the what’s happened any clearer to the fans? No- and they are the ones that matter.

Let’s be clear- yes, we have improved this season. But only very slightly when you consider that Wenger has apparently lost the plot at Arsenal, and Chelsea have repeatedly shot themselves in the foot from the day they sacked Mourinho. This was Liverpool’s chance to really kick on and make strided towards United, and put presure on them whilst they had a huge back-log of fixtures. You have to be honest, you can talk about individuals, but as a club, we have stuffed this royally.

Ultimately, it comes down to cash and petty behaviour. Gillet and Hicks are co-owners, and both want different things. This is simply another step towards the future, but in the end, without further investment in all areas of the club, not much else can really happen, and this is the sad fact. In answer to the question asked at the start – not really.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

I think we can all safely agree that the transfer window is one of the real absurdities of modern football. Sure, the big man upstairs did a lot of us a favour today by bringing in the heaviest snowfall for 18 years, and we were able to sit in and savour the deadline day soap opera- thanks to SkySports News.

It is extraordinarily difficult to ascertain what exactly the window does. I suppose it is the footballing authorities’ futile attempt to prevent players being unsettled throughout the season. There are two things wrong with this premise:

Firstly, it arguably serves only to create hotspots upon which much hope, hype and discussion is focused, which has the effect of unsettling players. How exactly did it help Portsmouth, when Tottenham and Real Madrid came looking for Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra respectively?

I appreciate that Roque Santa Cruz might be a thorough professional, and although I respect Blackburn Rovers for keeping hold of him, it’s difficult to see exactly what they are going to get from an unsettled player until May. Likewise, even if West Ham had been more aggressive in their attempts to keep Craig Bellamy, what use would the closing window have been? When you start to look at these things more closely, the weaknesses, in principle, of the window are accentuated.

Secondly, there is nothing against managers moving in the window. Again, this season’s example is Portsmouth, who are a uniquely small Premiership club, were run superbly in a certain way by Harry Redknapp. All these sorts of unique and special things are supposed to be protected by the window, but ultimately it doesn’t actually serve any purpose at all.

But what of this particular window? Who were the winners and losers?

Winners:

Chelsea: Should Big Phil manage to nick in and sort out a deal for Ricardo Quaresma, what a fantastic deal. With the ineptitude of Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou, and the injury to Joe Cole, he’ll enjoy the new lease of life at Chelsea, and should thrive on the games he should be given. This deal could see Chelsea are given the injection that they need to kick on and put some zip back into their title challenge.

Tottenham Hotspur: Harry’s done the business, for sure. I don’t think the signing of Carlo Cudicini is as inspired as people think- he’s hardly played and looked too hot in recent years, and I don’t know exactly how much he wants it now. Wilson Palacios looks like a good buy, though, and should provide a much-needed thrust to their midfield. For me, there’s too many in that central area, such as Jenas, Huddlestone, and Zokora who won’t like the tackles week in, week out. Signing Palacios might just give a bit more license to the likes of Aaron Lennon, David Bentley, Luka Modric and even Gio Dos Santos. With O’hara in the middle too, they should be fine. And lastly- Robbie Keane. A £5m net gain, a possible club captain returning to the fray, and an absolute fighter, who will be delighted to return after a disastrous spell at Liverpool. Should Jermain Defoe stay fit, he, Pavluychenko, and Bent should have enough goals alongside Keane to ensure they can kick on perhaps even to the Uefa cup spots.

Fulham: They might have lost Jimmy Bullard, but Olivier Dacourt is a sensational signing. The driving force he will give them in the middle of he park is an absolutely incredible plus, especially as they look to push for 6th or 7th. Well done, Roy Hodgson.

Aston Villa: I suppose it’s usually the quiet ones! Emile Heskey will prove a phenomenally good piece of business. Looking at their strengths, its pace, especially on the flanks. And what better way to get their top players in the game than to have a big, clever guy up in the final third working his socks off, bringing them into play. At around £3.5m, it’s an absolute snip. They’re certainly hitting form at the right time.

Wigan Athletic: Along with Roy Hodgson and Martin O’Neill, Roy Hodgson, Steve Bruce is one of the managers that have been outstanding this season. He might have lost Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios, but he has been utterly shrewd by bringing in Charles N’Zogbia, Hugo Rodagella, and Mido. All three in different ways will be keen to impress, and Rodagella looks brilliant on the other night’s Match of the Day Footage. Although Mido has personality issues, if he plays (and he should), he will certainly score goals, and N’Zogbia will certainly given them some additional width, alongside Valencia, to provide the big men up top.

Blackburn Rovers: Might seem a bit odd, going on what I said above, but I reckon Santa Cruz was worth keeping, and he’ll hold his value until the end of the season. If you give Allardyce £20m he’ll work out a way to spend it and build the squad effectively. Added to this, El Hadj Diouf will be an excellent addition for what Blackburn need- he’ll scrap, create, and score the odd goal. And they are desperately in need of width, particularly with the injury to Emerton at the weekend. All in all, they now have a strikeforce that will probably keep them up, with Roberts, McCarthy, and Santa Cruz.

Losers:

Liverpool: A terrible window, and an absolute sucker punch after a great win against Chelsea. I was happy to see Keane go as a Liverpool fan, but I thought Liverpool might have some sort of fresh replacement to come in and give the squad a bit of a lift. How on earth can Liverpool hope to compete with Man United with Kuyt, Torres and N’gog as the only strikers in the squad. Moreover, it is a pathetic statement about the club’s ambitions, particularly in the short term. Perhaps it serves as a sad reminder after yesterday of the true mess that the club finds itself in.

Everton: Like their neighbours, clearly they do not have enough cash to kick on and really look to strengthen their squad. Jo might fire, and fair play if he does, but I can’t see it working to the extent that they need it to. It’s great they they’re on a run with such a thin squad, but this will surely catch up with them.

Portsmouth: It’s all gone so wrong, so quickly. Money is no longer there it seems, and Harry has gone. Having lost Muntari, Portsmouth now have to make do without Defoe and Diarra. The signings of Pennant, Mullins, and Pele can hardly soften the blow, either.

Middlesborough: I saw them this weekend, and if Afonso Alves doesn’t start scoring pretty sharpish, they are in trouble. Marlon King is simply not the answer, particularly if played on his own. Mido probably had more quality in that role, too, so Southgate has lost out there. They look devoid of talent in the middle as well, with Digard and O’Neill struggling, and resorted to playing Bates in the middle on Saturday. Worrying, indeed, especially when loan deals for players such as Olivier Dacourt were flying around today.

Newcastle United: After losing out on Michael Johnson, and adding Ryan Taylor, Kevin Nolan, and Peter Lovenkrands, their squad still looks light. Unless they keep Owen and Martins fit, they will be in diabolical trouble. Coloccini looks shaky, and losing Shay Given ensures that they will leak more then their fair share, too. The fans will play an absolutely massive part in their survival.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

As Liverpool fan, by matter of routine, the familiar tune of Sky Sports News tells me of the latest bust up or disagreement between Rafa, who may or may not like Rick, but doesn’t like George, although he definitely likes Tom (not sure if he likes George or Rick, as it goes). Sounds silly, doesn’t it?

Of all the managers I have seen at Liverpool, sense can be made. Roy Evans- nice bloke but never going to command a dressing room, or be a master tactician to win more than the occasional trophy. Gerrard Houllier- transfer policy often stunk, little bit defensive, and lacked the raw funds to really push further. And then we arrive at Rafa.

Winning that Champions League didn’t really set the tone, but in some ways I suppose it did- the man is a total enigma. Sure, he’s made some storming signings, but more than his fair share have been terrible. His team selections are often impossible to predict (not in a creative, positive way) and fans simply cannot work it out (neither can the players). Just look at his treatment of Robbie Keane.

In one sense, I genuinely admire his single mindedness, and the fact that he will do it his way. But it’s deeply frustrating to be honest. His haphazard selection policy serves to isolate all but the likes of Dirk Kuyt. Like many of our sporting figures, Rafa’s strength comes from the same source as his weakness, and it is this single mindedness, and the insistence that he can control everything. This results in a greatly functional side, not conceding too many goals, but not cutting through sides, and not clinical.

Liverpool are an well-organized side, forcing errors in their opponents by being difficult to break down and attack. I guess this is why Rafa would choose to pick a player like Dirk “work-horse” Kuyt ahead of a more maverick-type player like Keane, because he wants to know what he’s getting. And so they lack an ability to altogether cut through side with disdain, in the fashion of Man United, which is precisely why Liverpool, in my opinion, can not win the league title this season. I honestly think Rafa would rotate, rest, and do anything but unleash Ronaldo if he were at Liverpool (perish the thought…)

The signing of Robbie Keane was simply incredulous. If Rafa was insisting in sitting two midfielders in deep, how would be envisage putting him with Torres, without pushing Gerrard to the right. A big, mobile, powerful figure was needed, and he brought a player who needs someone to play off (i.e. Berbatov, Viduka) as an absolute key to his game. He would surely have been better of keeping Crouch for that position. Troubling indeed.

I accept that he simply hasn’t had the money beyond this to build a squad of players to come in and out and keep scoring goals, but from what he has had, it’s not been fantastic- has Babel proven himself (or been given the chance to), is Benayoun really up to it? But I also believe that his insistence on impressing his unadulterated influence on tactics and transfer policy is what is holding the club back.

The latest dispute was control of all aspects of the club. I have to say I agree with the board. It’s good to have vision, but all the great clubs have gifted individuals with responsibility all over the place. The modern Football Club is not a club, but an organisation, and an institution. Managers should manage and team, and no more. Emilano Insua is the only player to have come through the youth academy of note in the last 5 years or so. Why heed Rafa’s request to maintain control, after getting rid of Steve Heighway, the man who bought through Gerrard, Owen, Fowler, and McManaman? Come to think of it, two players of note, such as Stephen Warnock and Danny Guthrie, who are both good premiership players, are as good as, if not better, than what Benitez spent £14m replacing them with (Lucas and Andrea Dossena). Add that to £20m for Keane and I give you Dimitar Berbatov or Robinho.

Sadly, I think I am beginning to see Rafa how I saw Houllier- stunted by his own vision, and kicking against the tide to keep afloat. He needs success to justify his actions, and it hasn’t been forthcoming. He’s turned Liverpool into a top 2 or 3 club, and done well, but maybe it’s time for a freshening up. Maybe it’s time for a new man to breathe a bit more creativity and attacking instinct into the players. Maybe even the board would back such a man with more funds. But I wouldn’t hold my own breath for that.

Without a doubt, the whole gridlock between owners, Chief Exec and manager serves only to compound the situation as it is. As a fan, not just of Liverpool, but of the Premiership, I hope Rafa’s team pushes United to the brink, and keeps this genuinely fascinating title race competitive. But I wouldn’t bet on it.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

I saw the 2008 UEFA team of the year, and the controversy it produced, and it got me thinking. What would an all time Premiership XI look like?

I’m fairly confident in my picks, but know the difficulties of picking such a side. The league has changed incredibly even since the time I have followed it, and going back to 1996, it looked like a place utterly different from the one it is now. Nevertheless, we still love the game, fans still have their heroes, and I reckon from the wreckage of confusion, we can begin to pull out enough to warrant a decent looking debate.

1. Peter Schmeichel

2. Gary Neville
3. Ashley Cole
4. Tony Adams
5. Rio Ferdinand

7. Cristiano Ronaldo
11 Ryan Giggs
6. Patrick Veiria
8. Gianfranco Zola

10. Ruud Van Nistlerooy
9. Alan Shearer

Defenders:

Giving it some thought, I reckon that defenders (particularly full backs) are the most difficult picks. I suppose this is indicative of the entertainment “goalscoring” factors. Defenders are simply not there to entertain, unless they are Titus Bramble, or Bjørn Tore Kvarme.

I chose Neville, as I think he was genuinely the first defender to cross a ball with such precision. I actually think it was he who was so responsible for the success of David Beckham- his forward movement creating space for Beckham’s strong suits to be maximised.

I was physically straining with the input of Ashley Cole, but personality aside, I think he’s an absolutely fantastic full-back-like Neville, but with the attacking flair. He can pass and move in a way unlike any full-back I have ever seen, and this includes Roberto Carlos, because he couldn’t defend! I saw Cole live recently, and was astounded at his movement, and the way he pinned back the opposition full-back. I don’t think anyone truly recognised his class until he did a fine number on Ronaldo in 04. Astonishing work-rate, and deservedly in this side.

The centre halves were certainly more difficult picks. Leaving out Desailly, Carragher, Vidic, McGrath, Stam was not an easy task. But I stand by my picks. For me, Tony Adams was in the Bobby Moore class, from what I have heard. I’m in no position to judge that, and the man did not win a World Cup, or Champs League. But I do think that the man was utterly inspirational, unlike any other. I notice John Terry going missing and missing his man at set pieces particularly, and I’m just not convinced by his footballing abilities at all, in terms of the very top draw. Adams, for me, had the lot.

I recently heard Rio Ferdinand being described as the Champagne of Defenders- how apt. And I think this is true. It’s difficult to compare eras even stretching beyond 2000, but he is a genuine footballer. He can pass, he can track, and is extremely brave. I can think of these two as an absolutely perfect partnership. Attack now starts from the back. If you look at the very top sides, and how quickly they can set up attacks, they do so from the first third. People like Ferdinand, and more so Carrick, Pirlo, and Xavi (as midfielders that sit deep), are so valuable for a reason, particularly with devastating wingers and front men. If you watch Rio, he’s never under pressure, his first touch, and when he shifts from one foot to another, are absolutely phenomenal, and quite unlike any other.

Midfield:

I start with arguably the easiest choice- Ronaldo. Beckham might have pushed him reasonably close once upon a time. But you can’t look beyond the weight of goals and assists. He’s re-invented the concept of the right winger, so much so that midfielders now score goals because they have to, not just as an added bonus. More than 40 goals in one season has put him in his own bracket, which is why Kaka at £100m for anyone’s money would be absolutely ridiculous. Ronaldo plays in a different way, he has a different tempo quite unlike I have ever seen.

Ryan Giggs is, for my money, the most under-rated footballer on the planet. Even looking at him as a veteran sitting in the middle of the park, his footballing abilities are shown by the fact that he still needs like a guy with an exceptional football brain, as good as there is around. Even so, go back 7 or 8 years, and he would run at full-backs at incredible pace, cutting inside and out, and always moving between 10 or 15 goals a season. That shift of direction put him where full-backs were uncomfortable, and he continues to prove a quality player and model professional for United.

The middle two were probably the most difficult picks. I’ve not picked Gerrard, Keane, Scholes, Petit, Gascoigne and Lampard, to name but a few. Why Veiria over Keane? Physically, he probably had the edge, and he moved more naturally for me. Domination of a match was natural for Veiria, unlike Keane, who’s personality was what made his impact so special. Veiria grew into the role at Arsenal, and single-handedly gave Arsenal the edge. Keane greatest strength was also his weakness, and continues to be this day, and that is that he was fundamentally a maverick, whereas I think if I were building a side, Veiria would be my man to protect the back four, and build attacks.

I believe that Gianfranco Zola was the finest player to have ever played in England. In a team of gifted foreigners, he was the one who showed exactly what foreigners could bring to England, more so than budget buys who could summon the odd piece of magic to please the crowds. You hear ex-pros speak about his willingness and desire to be the best, and this is what makes what he produced so special. Zola did things no other footballer in the premiership could dream of doing. I am not sure about weight of goals as opposed to Lampard of Gerrard, but I think that for the position of “number 8″ behind the front two, there’s no other guy I’d rather have.

Strikers:

Again, no Henry? No Owen? No Ian Wright? No Robbie Fowler? Bergkamp? Matt Le Tissier? Andy Cole? Strikers are probably the most difficult choices, are there are so many that score goals prolifically in the premiership to fill just two places. Alan Shearer was powerful, linked play well, score with his head as much as his feet, and proved he could do it in a title winning side. His goal-scoring record speaks for itself, and everything else besides.

I suppose Ruud Van Nistlerooy was more of a difficult choice, particularly over Thierry Henry. People criticised him for being a “tap in” merchant, but as Gary Lineker outlined in his column yesterday, people forget that he’d been making that run all game. I bet Van Nistlerooy’s distance covered was equal to all other “workhorses” in Premiership history. To be honest, although he wasn’t in the Premiership as long as Shearer, his goal to game ratio is as good, if not better, than any other. And, simply, he just did not ever miss his chances. If my life was in the balance, he’s the one I’d trust to stick the ball in the net.

I know there will be those of you who probably say its difficult to produce a comparative list since the Premiership’s inception, and I hold my hand up to being biased towards the more recent past. But nevertheless, I am confident in these picks. Money can change the way we look at the game, and as styles change, tactics change, and the tempo changes, I think football, by its nature, will always have the incredibly timeless quality to produce such gifted individuals. These are our modern day gladiators, our modern day gods. And it’s great that there are so many more besides.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

£100m for a player. £500k a week. Where’s it all going to end?

Here, hopefully. But sadly, we all know that something along similar (and even more obscene) lines will happen in the summer. The Kaka deal was almost the straw that broke the camel’s back, and there’s a good reason why. According to many experts (particularly eminent on radio chat shows, and pubs) football lost its soul years ago, prostituting itself to TV rights, sponsorship deals, and celebrity culture. For me, this is all true, but it is part of the natural development of the game, and sports in general, although many others are to a lesser extent. But intuitively, the Kaka deal pushed beyond boundaries of acceptability.

Looking at the Kaka deal on its own, the odious Garry Cook from Manchester City has exclaimed that Milan “bottled” the deal. Did they? Or was it more that they finally saw the gravity of the situation (not necessarily for the right reasons)? If this deal had gone through, it would have been the first time an individual had been prized away from a club he loves playing at, and who identifies with the city, and professes a great desire to captain the club one day, despite not even being next in line.

Real Madrid have always been able to be where they are because they have always had access to the world’s finest players. And if they move for Kaka in July, we know this is the way things are. Yes, there is an imbalance, but the time has now come when a seemingly average Premiership outfit can almost prize the most golden of boys from the most golden of clubs. Imbalance has always been part of sport, but the precedent that Man City almost set is utterly dangerous. Robinho was a totally different kettle of fish. Madrid were willing to pawn him as part of the Ronaldo deal, and never quite felt as though he was integral to what was going on at the club. Perhaps the saddest fact is that had City come in with £50m more, maybe Kaka would have gone. Everyone player has his price, and this is the natural conclusion of the free market in football.

The trouble is that everyone dreams of their club being part of the “big time” in the Champions League. Big nights out, two-legged ties, the glorious music blarring as their team lines up at the San Siro, The Bernabau, or the Guiseppe Meazza. And what is all this synonymous with? Cash. Why do clubs simply look to subsist in the Premiership? The money. And why is the FA Cup importance debate arising each year? The money. Money has a nasty nack of bringing things to their natural conclusion, and in a small way, this is slowly beginning to polarize throughout different sports. As with anything, money doesn’t guarantee happiness, but it sure takes the sting out of losing. Heavy investment didn’t buy our cyclists the Gold medals in Beijing, but it sure increased their chances. Which is why, despite Wigan being far superior to Tottenham in recent months, that Wigan accepted, and Wilson Palacios upped and left for £14m. In the longer term, he knows where his bread will be buttered.

What’s the way forward? Fans will just have to sit tight and strap in for the ride. So much of how we relate to the modern football soap opera comes from its glamour. Yet it is the glamour that in turn threatens to change it to something far beyond what we are able to remain in tune with. And pretty sharp. City’s cash puts things far beyond meaning, and it’s a dangerous, sickening precedent. History teaches us huge lessons, and there is no bigger footballing lesson than Leeds United. City’s buyers will ultimately be matched, and so on and so forth.

Let’s just hope that the rollercoaster doesn’t derail too quickly, too soon.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News